Monza painted red 18 times

The number of points for a win is the same as at any other Grand Prix, but for a Ferrari driver, winning at Monza is priceless. Fortunately, this happy circumstance has happened no less than 18 times, through the efforts of ten different drivers. Two of them, Alberto Ascari and Ludovico Scarfiotti, not only had the pleasure of taking a Prancing Horse to victory in Monza, but it was made even more memorable for them as Italian nationals.

The most successful Ferrari man at Monza is Michael Schumacher, who made it to the top step of the podium five times (1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006.) Second to team-mate Rubens Barrichello in 2002 and 2004, the seven times world champion only once failed to finish in the points in a Ferrari at Monza, from ten starts, when he came tenth in 2005.

Along with the British Grand Prix, the Italian event is one of two races that has always been part of the World Championship calendar and it has always been held at Monza with the exception of 1980. The track can therefore boast the greatest number of races staged at the highest level of motor sport, that number being 62. On twelve of those occasions, the race has decided the allocation of the Drivers’ title, with four of them being settled in favour of a Ferrari driver: Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956, Phil Hill in 1961, Niki Lauda in 1975 and Jody Scheckter in 1979.

With a total of 63 podium finishes – apart from the 18 wins there have been 24 second places and 21 thirds – there have been few editions of this race which have not featured at least on Ferrari driver in the top three. In the last twenty years, the podium has been barren of a Ferrari man on only four occasions (1992, 1997, 2005 and 2008.) However, on that last occasion, one vital ingredient from Maranello played its part, as Vettel’s Toro Rosso recorded the only Formula 1 victory ever for a Formula I engine fitted to a customer car.

Fernando Alonso has a great record at the Monza Grand Prix. The Spaniard has been on the podium five times (two wins, one second place and two thirds) and also has a further four points finishes to his name. He only failed to score in 2001, the year he made his Formula 1 debut with Minardi. Felipe Massa has fewer highlights on his record here, with just one top three finish, when he came third in 2010, from nine starts.

It’s hard to say which has been the Scuderia’s greatest victory at Monza. In the series “Top 10 @Monza” we are counting down the most significant amongst them, but as usually happens in these situations, everyone has their own favourites, sometimes linked to special memories. If you want to let us have your classification, go and post it on the Scuderia’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ScuderiaFerrari.